NorCal - Public Media

12/15/2024

Turn your old vehicle into powerful programming! Donate your old car, truck, boat or RV to NorCal Public Media and support the shows you love. 🚗 📺 Learn more: norcalpublicmedia.org/vehicle

12/12/2024

🎁 Give a holiday gift! Join Sonoma County's Secret Santa and make the season brighter for those in need. Thanks to the partnership of CVNL Center for Volunteer & Nonprofit Leadership, KZST Sonoma County's Radio Station! and Friedman's Home Improvement this incredible tradition has brought joy to our community for over 30 years. Become a Secret Santa today - visit secretsantanow.org. The donation deadline is Thursday, December 19th, 2024. 🎅

12/09/2024

"Heart of gold, pants of khaki."
Is Rick Steves trustworthy? One reddit thread has tried to get to the bottom of this, and our pal Rick Steves is getting a kick out of it. For a good laugh about our favorite travel guide, read his post!

OK, I admit it: Sometimes I get caught up reading what people say about me online. And there’s a thread raging right now on Reddit that is curiously entertaining, full of wit, and packed with travel wisdom (if a bit overly impressed with my drug policy reform activism). If you ever wonder, “Rick Steves…can we trust him?” then you might find this a fun read: https://www.reddit.com/r/travel/comments/1h87f06/rick_steves_can_we_trust_him/.

You’ll find a few of my favorite replies below…but there are lots, lots more. Happy travels, all you Reddit friends!

>> Rick steves can we trust him?

Yea he is like the Paul Simon of travelers, tender hearted and high on life.

In fact he may be the only man left that we can trust.

Heart of gold, pants of khaki.

How dare you even ask.

F yes, Rick is the Man! I’d still be stuck on the curb in Rome if I didn’t remember his advice that traffic won’t stop until you step off it. My friend’s scream of panic and then her quickly running to catch up to me lol

He was born Rick Steve Steve. When he built his media empire, he shortened it to Rick Steves.

My wife and I agree that he’s the world’s most wholesome s*x symbol.

I personally know 11 Ricks and 6 Steves. Rick Steves, while I don't know him personally, is more trustworthy than all of them.

A few years back, I was staying in a small hostel in Switzerland recommended by Rick. One evening as the guests sat around a campfire watching the moonrise over the Alps, someone yelled out, "RICK STEVES IS A GOD!" and we all started cheering. One of my most treasured memories.

Trust the pot smoking Lutheran. He is always right.

Rick Steves is a good dude with good advice. He is culturally sensitive and aware. He is practical. His red flag is his look of cargo pants. Come on Rick. Come on.

I'd let him borrow my car and watch my dog.

In order of trust: My Dad, Rick Steves, My Kids.

As others have pointed out, his philanthropic work that goes way beyond ma*****na legalization is really impressive. Also how cool he is...Anthony Bourdain was asked what he thought of Rick Steves and his answer was, "I wish he'd remember to give me my b**g back." Who steals Bourdain's b**g? Only somebody truly cool could do it.

All I know is the TV in the triage room while I was in labor with my third child for 27 hours was playing a marathon of Rick Steves on public access for like 8 hours through the middle of the night, and he kept me going. 10/10 Rick

He was my university commencement speaker. Dropped this quote, “high is not a state of mind, it is a place, and sometimes I like to go there.”

I went to high school with his daughter. It was an open secret he was blazing that s**t up with the kooky history teacher.

I have used his guidebooks on several vacations, and it was pretty solid advice. I would also leave my drink unattended by this man.

Rick Steves is a treasure and should be protected at all costs. I call him Dadjokes McPothead.

12/07/2024

Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson’s latest tour, An Astrophysicist Goes to the Movies – Part II is an entertaining and enlightening review of all the science that our favorite movies got wrong combines with some of the stuff they got right. June 5th at the Luther Burbank Center of the Arts. Tickets and information: lutherburbankcenter.org/event/neil-degrasse-tyson25/

12/06/2024

Upcoming Events at Open San Jose!
· 12/9 + 12/11 Latina Coalition of Silicon Valley: LEAP financial literacy & workforce development workshops
· 12/14 Chopsticks Alley Gallery: Tales of Ancient Vietnam
· 12/14 CreaTV San Jose's DocuMentorMe premiere screening of participant films

Open San Jose | 38 So. Second Street | Downtown San Jose

12/06/2024

Thursday morning's offshore 7.0 magnitude earthquake has damaged property in Humboldt County, CA.

NorCal News' Michelle Marques speaks with California Senate President Pro Tempore Mike McGuire about the powerful quake's aftermath.

Northern California Public Media

12/06/2024

Have you ever gone to a National Park for a relaxing break in nature only to hear cars honking, people chit chatting, and annoying boomboxes blaring?

According to a study from the National Park Service, 80% of the U.S. has human-made background noise.

And while human noise in outdoor places might be annoying to us, it can be really challenging for animals who rely on sound for food, communication, and even survival.

If noise is reduced or simply turned off, it more or less removes the issue. The impact does not linger in the same way as other forms of pollution, like plastic or chemicals.

So get outside, take out your headphones, turn off that noisy leaf blower and take in the unique aural niche of the environment around you. The sound of crickets, birdsong, and waves on the shore is worth savoring, and protecting.

For more Climate California: Explorations visit youtube.com/northerncaliforniapublicmedia

Until next time! Happy exploring.

12/05/2024

Shakey the Quake Snake brings earthquake and tsunami safety tips from NorCal's "Prepare Yourself!" series about emergency safety for you, your family and our community. Watch the full episode on our YouTube page: https://youtu.be/KCO3davjbSQ?si=SMzC27mGu7D1XIex

12/05/2024

The Tsunami warning is now canceled. We will update this story as more information becomes available.

12/05/2024

An Earthquake estimated to be 7.0 has occurred off the coast of Northern California. Check out the earthquake map here: https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/ew1733424270/map

There is currently a Tusnami warning - find information here: https://www.tsunami.gov/

Earthquake preparedness here: https://www.srcity.org/455/Earthquakes

12/05/2024

Redwoods are the tallest trees on Earth—massive, ancient, and incredibly resilient. But it’s almost a miracle they’re still here, thanks to a long, complicated history of battles between loggers and activists in California. In this episode of Climate California: Explorations - we dive into the wild story of how these giants survived and why they still matter today.

12/04/2024

We are incredibly grateful for your support on ! Your generosity powers trusted independent news, PBS KIDS fun, youth workshops, cultural events, exciting projects like our new NorCal original series Climate California, and so much more! 💙

We still have our exclusive Climate California 2025 Calendar for donations of $40 (or more) - and they make great holiday gifts! To get yours visit norcalpublicmedia.org/donate

Together, we’re building a brighter future for the Bay Area. Thank you! 🙌

12/03/2024

Check out our NEW Thank You Gift! When you make a donation of $40 (or more) you can select this exclusive 12-month wall calendar featuring scenes from our new NorCal original series, Climate California! These make great holiday gifts! ❤️ Get yours now at norcalpublicmedia.org/donate.

Learn more about the show at: climatecalifornia.org

12/03/2024

It’s Giving Tuesday AND NorCal Public Media’s 40th Anniversary! 🎉 We're thrilled to celebrate four decades of trusted news, culture, and entertainment, all made possible by your support.

Today we have a goal to raise $10,000 to help continue bringing you the independent media you rely on. AND thanks to a generous $2,500 challenge grant from a NorCal Leadership Circle Member, your gift will be doubled dollar for dollar until we meet their match! Give today at: norcalpublicmedia.org/donate
Thank you for being part of our story. ❤️

11/30/2024

Immerse yourself in the golden age of Hollywood with NorCal Classic Movies on NorCal Public Media Passport. 🍿 Members who give a gift of $5/month ($60 or more annually), gain access to our entire NorCal Public Media Passport library. Join today and enjoy an exclusive cinematic journey with NorCal Classic Movies. norcalpublicmedia.org/donate

11/29/2024

Loneliness is an epidemic*, especially among older adults. Nonprofit Peninsula Family Service has partnered with San Mateo County to address what they are first in the nation to recognize, that loneliness is a public health emergency. But at PFS’ Fair Oaks Adult Activity Center in Redwood City, active seniors are having a blast. They gladly share with us what fills their days and show that PFS efforts to combat feeling alone is working. For more information visit: peninsulafamilyservice.org
*according to the U.S. Surgeon General

11/28/2024

Happy Thanksgiving from NorCal Public Media! Enjoy this visit back to last year's Ear to the Wild episode about Turkeys! 🦃 ❤️